Time to learn foreign languages

A chara, – The article by Paul Gillespie highlighting Ireland’s foreign languages deficit is to be welcomed (“Plurilingualism – why we’re so bad at picking up more languages”, Opinion & Analysis, November 10th).

The author does well to remind us that only Ireland and Scotland share the dubious distinction of being the sole European states where foreign language learning is optional.

While many oppose the idea of compulsory subjects in principle, the fact of the matter is that only compulsion ensures equality of access.

In England, in 2004, language learning was made optional by the Labour government from key stage four (14 years).

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The result of this decision is that numbers of pupils taking languages have fallen dramatically in state schools, while independent (private) schools continue offering languages as before.

The consequences of this elitism are carried over into third level, where decline in take-up has been greatest in the former polytechnics, with the more prestigious universities remaining largely unaffected.

Compulsory foreign language learning at second level in Ireland is therefore not only desirable as a means of increasing our foreign-language capacity, it would also ensure that all the children of the nation have equal access to a vital skill in a globalised world. – Is mise,

ANNA NÍ GHALLACHAIR,

Former President (2004-7),

Irish Association

for Applied Linguistics,

Director,

Language Centre,

Maynooth University.